Land hermit crabs are appealing because of their similarity to exotic aliens and because they are exotic.

They are generally low maintenance and ideal for people of all ages.

They are omnivores which makes their diet flexible to the size of your pocket.

Despite all the low costs, a hermit crab may not be the ideal pet for you. There are a few things to consider before purchasing one.

Hermit crabs are soft bodied and wear shells that they find to protect themselves. You can buy shells that you find attractive and when the crab has out grown the shell that it is wearing now, it will have no choice but to wear the shell that you picked out. Make sure you have the right size because if you buy the exact size that the crab has on now it will not fit into your new one.

They can be placed in a cage which will require cleaning daily as they are not really tidy animals. Things tend to get smelly fast which you will not enjoy. The smell will remind you when it is time for a clean but do not leave it until then. Water must be changed on a daily basis and fresh food must be readily available.

Their feeding utensils must be cleaned out regularly to avoid the hermit crab eating bad food which may cause illness. Avoid cleaning them out with detergent as the smell might make the food unattractive. Their dishes and bowls must be heavy or securely mounted on the cage as they are active animals that enjoy climbing and jumping around.

Because of their energetic nature, a large cage is recommended. Make sure you have enough room in your home to accommodate the large cage. Hermit crabs are nocturnal so that means all that hyper activity takes place at night but if you are not a light sleeper this should not bother you too much.

You should also take into consideration the age of the hermit crab that you want to buy. If you want to spend less time on bonding, a younger hermit crab that has been recently weaned will be the ideal choice. But if you would like an older crab it will take longer to bond but it is not impossible. A lot of love and attention in addition to patience will get you there in no time.

Hermit crabs can be interesting little fellows if you give them the proper care that they need.